Denton County, TX
Property Tax Protest Guide · Texas
Protest Deadline
Not later than May 15, or the 30th day after the appraisal district's notice of
appraised value was delivered to you, whichever is later. Texas Tax Code Section
41.44(a)(1). Limited exceptions apply for good cause, offshore workers, and active
military service members.
Deadlines
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What is the protest deadline under Texas law?
Texas state law |
Not later than May 15, or the 30th day after the notice of appraised value was delivered, whichever is later.
“not later than May 15 or the 30th day after the date that notice to the property owner was delivered to the property owner as provided by Section 25.19 (Notice of Appraised Value), whichever is later”
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| What is the protest deadline in Denton County? |
May 15, or 30 days from the mailing date of your notice, whichever is later.
“The deadline to protest is May 15 or 30 days from the mailing date of your notice, whichever is later.”
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| When does Denton Central Appraisal District mail appraisal notices? |
2026 notices of appraised value were mailed April 10 for most real property accounts.
“April 10 - Notices of Appraised Value mailed out from Denton CAD; deadline to file a protest May 15th (this applies to most real property accounts).”
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| Are these dates final? |
Denton CAD publishes its 2026 dates with an explicit caveat that they may change. Verify with the district before relying on any published date.
“All Dates are Subject to Change”
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How to File
| Where do I file a protest online in Denton County? |
The Public Portal, at dentoncad.com/public-portal/sign-in.
“If you don't already have an account, you can easily create one using the property owner ID and PIN from your Notice of Appraised Value.”
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| Can I file online, and what do I need? |
You need the property owner ID and PIN printed on your Notice of Appraised Value. No other restrictions are published.
“If you don't already have an account, you can easily create one using the property owner ID and PIN from your Notice of Appraised Value.”
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| How do I file by mail or in person in Denton County? |
By mail or in person at 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208, using Form 50-132, Property Owner's Notice of Protest.
“BY MAIL: You can send us your protest by mail at: 3911 Morse Street Denton, TX 76208”
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Hearings and Evidence
| Can I talk to an appraiser before the hearing? |
Informal meetings with an appraiser are offered and are scheduled by appointment via the link on the district's protest process page. In 2026 they were offered through May 8.
“Informal meetings may be scheduled at the following link: waitwhile.com/locations/dcad/welcome”
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| Can my protest be settled without a hearing? |
Through the Public Portal you can upload documents, review the district's evidence, and accept or decline settlement offers. Denton CAD does not state on its public pages whether accepting an offer this way ends the protest without a formal ARB hearing.
“Through your online account, you can upload supporting documents and comments, review evidence from the appraisal district, and accept or decline any settlement offers.”
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| How can I attend my ARB hearing? |
In person at the district's office, remotely by phone or videoconference, or in writing by affidavit without appearing.
“Property owners can attend an in-person hearing at DCAD's office. Property owners can present their case remotely via phone or videoconference. Property owners may submit their evidence and arguments in writing by affidavit.”
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| What do I need for a phone or video hearing? |
A notarized Affidavit of Evidence or Unsworn Declaration must be on record at the time of a telephone or videoconference hearing. Without it you will not be able to present your evidence.
“If a notarized Affidavit of Evidence or Unsworn Declaration is not on record at the time of the hearing, you will not be able to present your evidence.”
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| When and how do I submit my evidence? |
Submit evidence at least 5 days before the scheduled hearing. This is a Denton CAD requirement, not a state deadline.
“It is imperative to submit evidence at least 5 days before the scheduled hearing.”
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Can I see the district’s evidence before the hearing?
Texas state law |
On request, you are entitled to a copy of the data, schedules, formulas, and all other information the chief appraiser will introduce at the hearing.
“inform the property owner that the owner or the agent of the owner is entitled on request to a copy of the data, schedules, formulas, and all other information the chief appraiser will introduce at the hearing to establish any matter at issue”
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| How do I request the district’s evidence in Denton County? |
Email info@dentoncad.com at least 7 days before your scheduled hearing date.
“To make a request, email info@dentoncad.com at least 7 days before your scheduled hearing date.”
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| Where are the ARB hearing procedures published? |
2026 Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures, listed on the district's forms page.
“2026 Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures”
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If You Disagree with the ARB
| What if I miss the protest deadline? |
A protest filed after the deadline but before the ARB approves the appraisal records, around mid-July, is still eligible for a hearing if good cause is shown (Tax Code 41.44(b)).
“Property owners or agents that submit a notice of protest after the deadline but before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) approves the appraisal records (i.e., mid-July) are eligible for a hearing and determination of the protest. However, this entitlement is contingent upon the property owner demonstrating good cause, as determined by the board, for the failure to file the notice within the specified timeframe. Tax Code §41.44 (b)”
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What if I find a clerical or ownership error?
Texas state law |
The ARB may correct the appraisal roll for any of the five preceding years to fix clerical errors, multiple appraisals of the same property, appraisal of property that does not exist, or an ownership error.
“The appraisal review board, on motion of the chief appraiser or of a property owner, may direct by written order changes in the appraisal roll for any of the five preceding years to correct: (1) clerical errors that affect a property owner's liability for a tax imposed in that tax year; (2) multiple appraisals of a property in that tax year”
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What if my property was substantially over-appraised?
Texas state law |
A property owner may file a motion to correct an over-appraisal at any time before the taxes become delinquent. The error must exceed the correct value by more than one-fourth for a residence homestead, or one-third for other property.
“However, the error may not be corrected unless it resulted in an appraised value that exceeds by more than: (1) one-fourth the correct appraised value, in the case of property that qualifies as the owner's residence homestead under Section 11.13; or (2) one-third the correct appraised value, in the case of other property”
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| What are my options besides district court? |
Binding arbitration is available for a residence homestead regardless of value, or for property with an appraised value of $5 million or less.
“Binding arbitration is an option only if the property is: A residential homestead, regardless of value; or A property with an appraised value of $5 million or less.”
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| How do I appeal an ARB decision to court? |
File a petition for review with the District Court within 60 days of receiving the ARB's final determination order.
“Property owners must file a petition for review with the District Court. The petition must be filed within 60 days of receiving the ARB's final determination order.”
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Homestead Exemption
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When is the homestead exemption deadline?
Texas state law |
Before May 1. Denton CAD does not publish its own deadline; this is the general state deadline.
“The general deadline for filing an exemption application is before May 1.”
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Can I still file a homestead exemption if I missed the deadline?
Texas state law |
The chief appraiser must accept a late application filed within two years after the delinquency date for taxes on the homestead. There is no requirement to apply in your first year of ownership.
“the chief appraiser shall accept and approve or deny an application for a residence homestead exemption after the deadline for filing it has passed if it is filed not later than two years after the delinquency date for the taxes on the homestead.”
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| How do I file for a homestead exemption? |
File Form 50-114 online at taxpayer.justappraised.com/dentoncadtx, the filing service linked from the district's homestead exemptions page, or by mail or in person at 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208. There is no fee.
“There is no fee to file, and you do not need to hire anyone to submit your application.”
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Contacts and Hours
| How do I contact the Denton County Appraisal Review Board? |
Denton CAD publishes no separate Appraisal Review Board contact. Correspondence goes to the district at 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208, phone (940) 349-3800. ARB hearing notices are mailed to you at least 15 days before the hearing.
“You will receive a Notice of Protest Hearing letter by regular mail at least 15 days before the scheduled formal hearing date.”
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| How do I contact Denton Central Appraisal District? |
(940) 349-3800. 3911 Morse Street, Denton, TX 76208. dentoncad.com
“Phone: (940) 349-3800”
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| What are the appraisal district’s office hours? |
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
“Monday - 8 am - 4 pm; Tuesday - 8 am - 4 pm; Wednesday - 8 am - 12 pm; Thursday - 8 am - 4 pm; Friday - 8 am - 4 pm”
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